NIRF: 5 Trichy arts & science colleges in top 100 ranks

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, released by the Union ministry of education, a ranking of educational institutions across the country by assessing their performances, has brought positive news for arts and science colleges in Trichy with several institutions securing spots in the top 100 ranks.
Notably, NIT Trichy remains the sole engineering institute from the city in the top 100, highlighting the need for local engineering colleges to improve their performance.

The NIRF rankings were determined based on five key parameters: Teaching, Learning, and Re- sources (TLR); Research and Professional Practice (RP); Graduation Outcomes (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); and Peer Perception (PP). Institutions were evaluated on various criteria, including faculty-student ratio, research publication, job placements, facilities for students with disabilities, and employer perception.
In the overall ranking, Trichy is represented by two institutions in the top 100: NIT Trichy, which secured the 31st rank (down from 21st in 2023), and Bharathidasan University, which improved its standing from 70th to 55th.
Among arts and science colleges, St Joseph's College ranked 25th, Bishop Heber College 33rd, Holy Cross College 41st, Jamal Mohamed College 59th, and National College 82nd.
"Around 80% of our UG students go for higher studies and 20% of our PG students opt for further research. We follow 1:20 (teacher: student) ratio, such factors helped us retain our spot," Rev S Mariadoss, principal, St Joseph's College, told TOI.
National College improved its ranking from 90th in 2023 to 82nd, while Jamal Mohamed College was recognized for its outreach and inclusivity efforts, particularly in supporting economically disadvantaged students.
"Amidst competition from metropolitan colleges, we are pleased to consistently rank in the top 100. We will continue to focus on enhancing our placement drives, re search, and overall perception." George Amalar- ethinam, principal, Jamal Mohamed College said.
In the management category, IIM Trichy (27th), NIT Trichy (51st), and BIM Trichy (94th) secured places in the top 100. NIT Trichy also ranked 9th in the engineering category, maintaining its status as the top-rated NIT in the country.
However, the continued subpar performance of Trichy-based engineering colleges in the NIRF rankings raises concerns, especially as demand for technical graduates is expected to grow with upcoming industrial in- vestments like Tidel Park in Trichy.